Rifle Scopes Looking to Purchase a new Scope

S

svencool

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 29, 2011
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Everett WA
www.photostrated.com
#1
I have been looking at scopes for a few weeks and would like your guys input before I purchase one. I have looked at Leupold Mark 4 8.5-25x50mm LR/T M1 Illum. Reticle and S&B 5-25 x 56 Police Marksman II LP. They will be primarly used on a custom built 308 cal 600 to 1000 yards. Are there any other scopes I should be considering and why? Thanks!

Mike
 
#2
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

Comparing a Leupie to an S&B is not even in the same ballpark in my opinion, hell, not even the same game at all.
The S&B is a great scope and one of the best, you should be looking at other scopes in that same price range and then deciding on which scope you like depending on the features that YOU think are the most needed for your style of shooting.
I am not bashing the Mark IV but these scopes are not in the same league.
Check out Hensoldt, Premier, March, Nightforce.
Make a list of what you deem important- FFP or SFP reticle? Mil or MOA, weight, turrets, elevation travel, etc and number them as to importance for what you want to do with the scope.
There is a great sticky at the top of ths page on how to pick an optic. I found that article to be very helpful when looking at any new optic.
Good luck and welcome to The Hide,
Paul
 
#3
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Plange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Comparing a Leupie to an S&B is not even in the same ballpark in my opinion, hell, not even the same game at all.
</div></div>

Thanks Paul I know they not even close but I was just letting people know what I had looked at. I'm new to the forum and have been reading as much as I can but I was looking/hoping that people would share there personal experiences with different manufactures and what they liked and disliked.

Just something else for me to look at. I will make the list like you suggested and will read the sticky at the top. I will also look into those other manufactures you suggested as there were a couple there that I had never even heard of so that was of some help as well. Thanks

Mike
 
#4
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

I shoot a Nightforce 5.5-22x56 mounted on a NF Unimount. I have been thoroughly impressed with the optical quality, rugged construction, and excellent repeatable zero ability of this scope. I highly recommend taking a look at NF. If you're Mil/LEO they have a factory direct order program that gets you a nice discount as well.
 
#5
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

a little piece of me dies with the birth of every what scope to pick thread. I currently am that floating head in the Jar on the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon
 
#6
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

You should also be considering the 5-25x Premier. It is in the same power range as the two you have looked at and is an excellent scope, IMHO. I wish I could afford one for every rifle I have. I have a few Mark 4s and they serve their purpose well, but the Premier (and S&B)are miles ahead in several departments.
 
#7
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

+1 on the Premier scope. i currently own the 5-25 model and traded my S&B for it. I did it because the S&B has tunnel vision at the lowest power, only the center of the reticle is illuminated and the clicks are too close for my taste. In terms of clarity of glass they are exactly the same. I do prefer the Gen 2 XR reticle over the P4F.
 
#8
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AFOSI 2517</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I shoot a Nightforce 5.5-22x56 mounted on a NF Unimount. I have been thoroughly impressed with the optical quality, rugged construction, and excellent repeatable zero ability of this scope. I highly recommend taking a look at NF. If you're Mil/LEO they have a factory direct order program that gets you a nice discount as well.</div></div>

After I get off of work I will take a look at there line up
smile.gif
and thanks for the tip about the discount every penny helps!
Mike
 
#10
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: matchking</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should also be considering the 5-25x Premier. It is in the same power range as the two you have looked at and is an excellent scope, IMHO. I wish I could afford one for every rifle I have. I have a few Mark 4s and they serve their purpose well, but the Premier (and S&B)are miles ahead in several departments.</div></div>

I will for sure take a look at the 5-25x Premier!!! Thanks for the heads up much appreciated!!

Mike
 
#13
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

+1 on the Nightforce. If you want to run a Mil reticle I recommend you get a Mil/Mil setup. I bought my 5.5-22 with a Mil/MOA setup and its not optimal. BTW for the nightforce lovers....I called yesterday to see about a turret swap and the earliest they can get to any work if early Sept. Just FYI.
 
#14
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thedarkside</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the Nightforce. If you want to run a Mil reticle I recommend you get a Mil/Mil setup. I bought my 5.5-22 with a Mil/MOA setup and its not optimal. BTW for the nightforce lovers....I called yesterday to see about a turret swap and the earliest they can get to any work if early Sept. Just FYI.</div></div>

I'm really been looking at these Nightforce's now does anyone know anything about this Advanced Reticle Technology or ART for short? They claim "Nothing is faster or more accurate than ART, GUARANTEED" I seen it advertised at this Hollands over here in Oregon.

Mike
 
#15
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

I recommend looking at an IOR 6-24x56mm ffp it is in the price range as the Leupold with alot of the features of the S&B. The optical quality is outstanding, CS is great (click on the link in my sig.) , Mechanics are very good as well. It isn't quite on the same level as S&B but it is close, and is over 40% less expensive.
 
#16
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AFOSI 2517</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If you're Mil/LEO they have a factory direct order program that gets you a nice discount as well. </div></div>

This is something I'm not super clear on. I was in the market for a new scope recently (ordered a USO a couple days ago). I called Nightforce and they told me that even though I'm a full-time LEO, I did not qualify for the LEO discount unless the scope was bought on a department letterhead, stating it would ONLY be used for on-duty use on a work gun. Since my bolt gun is for hobby, and I'm not allowed to carry it at work, there was no discount if I chose NF. USO's LE discount is not restrictive like that. I'm not bashing NF, I've played with a couple and they seem like awesome scopes. But I was impressed enough with USO's scopes and customer service that I chose them instead.
 
#17
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J3RICHO941</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recommend looking at an IOR 6-24x56mm ffp it is in the price range as the Leupold with alot of the features of the S&B. The optical quality is outstanding, CS is great (click on the link in my sig.) , Mechanics are very good as well. It isn't quite on the same level as S&B but it is close, and is over 40% less expensive. </div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J3RICHO941</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recommend looking at an IOR 6-24x56mm ffp it is in the price range as the Leupold with alot of the features of the S&B. The optical quality is outstanding, CS is great (click on the link in my sig.) , Mechanics are very good as well. It isn't quite on the same level as S&B but it is close, and is over 40% less expensive. </div></div>

Now this is a nice scope worth digging into!!! Thanks for the tip!!!!
 
#18
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

ART is a custom reticle I think.

Razor HD is a good scope. I have an IOR 3-18 and like it a lot, the glass and reticle are both excellent. Plenty of happy USO owners out there too. The scope brand I see the most of at shoots though is Nightforce and they also seem to break the least.

As far as variable power goes anything ~15X with good glass will be enough for what you are doing. I can make out a hell of a lot of detail at 1100 yards with my IOR @ 14X.
 
#19
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The scope brand I see the most of at shoots though is Nightforce and they also seem to break the least.
</div></div>

When you say break what do you mean? people drop them????

Mike
 
#20
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: svencool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The scope brand I see the most of at shoots though is Nightforce and they also seem to break the least.
</div></div>

When you say break what do you mean? people drop them????

Mike</div></div>

No, the recoil tends to beat some scopes up more than others and NightForce seems to be built tougher than some of the competition.
 
#21
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: svencool</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The scope brand I see the most of at shoots though is Nightforce and they also seem to break the least.
</div></div>

When you say break what do you mean? people drop them????

Mike</div></div>

No, the recoil tends to beat some scopes up more than others and NightForce seems to be built tougher than some of the competition.</div></div>

Ok thanks!!
 
#23
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Santo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+4 I'd also get the NightForce 5.5-22X50/56 with options of your choice.</div></div>

Looks like I'm leaning towards the NightForce but I do like the IOR's as well. But I'm thinking and could be wrong the NightForce seems from what I have read no first hand experience a tougher scope? Thanks for everyone's suggestions and comments they have given me a ton more insight than I had before for sure!

Mike
 
#25
Re: Looking to Purchase a new Scope

Mike, S&B also has LE/Mil discount on scopes. If you were interested drop me a PM and i can get you the prices and contact point.
 
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